By Andrew Stackpool
Volume 48, No. 19, October 19, 2006
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GOOD LOOK: CPL Damian Gleeson, 11SQN, talks with Warren Patterson, Jeff Howe and Russell Stringer from the 9RAR Vietnam Veterans Association.
Photo by CPL Peter Gammie |
A GROUP of Vietnam veterans recently enjoyed a moment back in time thanks to the efforts of a sergeant from RAAF Base Edinburgh.
SGT Hayden Inwood from 11SQN organised a tour of the base for members of the 9RAR Vietnam Veterans Association.
The tour included a look over an AP-3C and a fly-past by the Aerospace Operational Support Group (AOSG) UH-1H Iroquois ‘Huey’ helicopter, an aircraft well-known to the veterans when it flew in Vietnam in Air Force colours.
In 2005, SGT Inwood, who is fourth-generation military, arranged for his father Malcolm Inwood – a soldier with 9RAR – to be presented with his medals and association membership at the base.
“A few months ago, the association contacted me to see if they could have a look around the base and maybe have a look at the AOSG Huey helicopter,” SGT Inwood said.
“I got approval and then it took me about two months to tee it all up.
“The day was meant to have them tour the base and then look over the Huey, a Black Hawk and then an Orion. However, the Black Hawk was unavailable, so, as a surprise, I managed to get the Huey to fly for them during the day.”
Eighty members of the association turned up for the tour, including Mr Inwood. They enjoyed a tour of the base and then were taken to the engine run-up area. Within a few minutes, the air reverberated with the sound of a well-known engine.
“The Huey came in and flew right over the top of them, and then hovered for a couple of minutes in front of them,” he said.
“There were a few tears in the old boys’ eyes.”
After the Huey departed, the vets were taken to the flightline area, where they quickly re-acquainted themselves with the Iroquois and then looked over the Orion.
“They were immensely impressed with the Orion. They had no idea of the capability of the aircraft and loved every second they were on it. They compared our role in the MEAO to what they were used to in Vietnam.
“When the Huey came over the top and then hovered in front of them, there was not a word spoken. They were very much surprised, as they thought they were just going to look at it and not see it fly.
“A lot of them reminisced when they got the chance to sit in the old girl again.”
With their tour completed, the 9RAR vet’s enjoyed a barbecue at the P3 Club, during which they presented a 9RAR plaque to the base and swapped yarns with some Air Force Vietnam veterans present.
In response, the base is arranging two framed images of the tour to be presented to the association.
Warren Featherby, the president of the 9RAR Association, thanked the base personnel for the visit. He said that for the association, the soundtrack of the war was the sound of the Huey.
It was their ‘Green Angel’; it picked up their wounded, dropped off supplies and picked them up when they were in trouble. For them to re-acquaint themselves with the sound of it was a huge surprise and was something really special for them.
“From all reports, the day was a huge success,” SGT Inwood said.
“I welcomed the vet’s and hosted them for the day. I had volunteers from 11SQN who assisted in hosting and running the aircraft statics.
FSGT John Usher ran the barbecue and the P3 Club.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to MAJ Aaron Rose, the Huey pilot, and the crew at AOSG for their time and help on the day.”
